William O. Dyar Sr.

April 20, 1921 – June 25, 2012

Beloved husband, father and grandfather William “Bill” Owen Dyar Sr. passed away June 25 in Grand Junction, Colorado. He was 91. A funeral mass in celebration of his life will take place at Immaculate Heart of Mary church at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 22, 2012. The son of Owen Pence and Mina Dyar, Bill was born in Fort Morgan, Colo., and later moved to Craig, Colo., where he graduated from Moffat County High School in 1939 and later attended Colorado College. He served in the U.S. Navy as a Pharmacist Mate 1st Class on the USS Girasol during World War II. He worked as a pharmacist for his father’s business, Palace Drug in Craig, prior to spending 20 years as a pharmacist at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction. He married Charlotte Ledford of McAlester, Okla., on Oct. 27, 1956, in a ceremony in Denver. The couple lived in both Craig and Grand Junction and raised three children: Andrea Lynne Dyar of Grand Junction; William Owen Dyar, Jr. of Redding, Conn., and James Pence Dyar of Redding, Calif. Bill Sr. is also survived by Dennis Dyar of Las Vegas, Nev., a son from a previous marriage. Bill maintained a close relationship with his sister Margaret Ellsworth, who predeceased him, her husband Phil and their three children. Bill and Charlotte celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2006, prior to Charlotte’s passing in 2007. Bill was a passionate music fan who played trumpet and even once auditioned for the Benny Goodman Band. He loved big band and swing music and progressive jazz, and later sang for years with the Bookcliff Chorus. He performed with the chorus several times at the Junior College World Series baseball tournament in Grand Junction. Bill’s warm personality was often reflected in his whimsical sense of humor. In addition to his four children, he is also survived by four grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to Alpine Hospice, 2764 Compass Drive, Ste 110, Grand Junction, CO 81506.